Youth Sport Trust has teamed up with the Wimbledon Foundation to launch ‘Set For Success’, a new youth leadership through sport initiative.
The two-year programme will provide young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the opportunity to develop valuable life and leadership skills through mentoring sessions delivered by inspirational athletes who go into schools and act as mentors.
The eight athlete mentors from the Youth Sport Trust are world-class athletes in sports ranging from tennis, athletics and swimming, to in-line skating, Thai boxing and judo. The mentors will work with young people aged 14 to 16 in schools across the UK, beginning in Portsmouth, Cardiff, Knowsley and Nottingham.
Their message, captured in this film, is that sport is more than just setting records or becoming a household name; it develops skills, encourages positive attitudes and delivers opportunities that can have a powerful lifelong impact.
Helen Parker, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation, said: “Inspiring the next generation and creating opportunities for young people to gain life skills is one of the four goals of the Wimbledon Foundation. Our aim is that Set For Success will give young people facing challenges the skills and confidence to make the most of every opportunity and succeed in every aspect of their life in future.”
Emily Reynolds, National Programmes Director at the Youth Sport Trust, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Wimbledon Foundation on this exciting new initiative which embodies Wimbledon’s values and ongoing pursuit of greatness.
“Set For Success is about teaching the mindset of an athlete, to help young people get set for success in life. Our experienced athlete mentors will help young people to think and act like an athlete, believe in their ability and be ready to achieve whatever they set out to do.”
Provisionally due to begin in September 2020, 320 young people will take part in the pilot programme. The young people will attend regular sessions during Years 10 and 11 at school, delivered by trained lead teachers and Youth Sport Trust athlete mentors. These are aimed at developing skills and confidence, participation sport/physical activity as well as active learning, and becoming young leaders in their local communities.
To find out more about the Youth Sport Trust, visit its page in the ConnectSport directory. To add your organisation for free, email hello@connectsport.co.uk.
